Exercise and Trying to Conceive

by Pattie Hughes | More from this Blogger

When I was trying to conceive, I worried about the safety of exercise. I would exercise in the first half of each cycle and stop after ovulation. I imagined the exercise shaking the baby loose. It turns out; this is a common worry among women trying to conceive a baby.

In general, it is safe to continue your exercise routine if you are fit and exercise regularly. If you haven't worked out in the past, but really want to get started, visit your doctor first. Have a physical done to ensure you are in good health and can handle physical activity. Start off very slow and gradually add time and intensity.

There are some benefits to exercise when you are trying to get pregnant. Exercise can help relieve stress. Infertility treatments and trying to conceive a baby are very stressful. Regular physical activity can help reduce stress in addition to helping control weight gain when you do get pregnant.

In anticipation of pregnancy, you can follow the guidelines for pregnant women regarding exercise. Drink plenty of water during and after your workout. Start out with slow stretching and warm up before vigorous exercise. While exercising, be sure your heart rate doesn't go above 150 beats per minute. Allow time to cool down after the work out.

Low impact exercise is the best choice for pregnant women. You may want to choose Walking outside or on a treadmill over running for the time being. Swimming, walking and yoga are low impact exercises that are safe for most pregnant women.

In my case, I had two miscarriages on the road to parenthood. For this reason, I was cautious while we were trying to conceive and throughout the pregnancy, especially the first trimester. Speak to your doctor if you have a history of miscarriages to be sure your work out routine is safe.

Ask you doctor if there are any restrictions in your case. Each woman is different and your doctor knows your history and level of fitness. Talk to your health care provider about your routine to be sure it is safe for you and your future baby. This will give you peace of mind.

Related Articles:

Choosing a Prenatal Yoga DVD

Swimming in Pregnancy

Exercising Safely in Pregnancy

Learn more about Pattie Hughes

Pattie Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four young children. She and her husband have been married since 1992. Pattie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University.

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